Monthly Archives: September 2012

Apple iPhone 5 LTE Frequency Limitations: Are You Going to Buy One?

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Apple iPhone 5 will not support all LTE networks in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world.

iPhone-5 With LTE frequency bands

iPhone 5 comes with many good but there are some bad news came with the most awaited product of 2012. Apart from maps (At least there is one working version), iPhone won’t support all the LTE frequencies in Europe market.

Apple iPhone 5 Supported LTE Frequency Bands

The European GSM model of the iPhone 5 supports LTE in the 850 MHz, 1800 MHz and 2.1 GHz bands. Those bands can be used by relatively few operators in Europe, including EE in the UK and Deutsche Telekom in Germany. Vodafone and Telefónica will be restricted to offering the latest Apple smart phone with access to their slower 3G services.

Does this mean that Samsung, NOKIA and HTC will get a boost in their sell as all of them support LTE and have different solutions for different operators?

One of the iPhone’s biggest market Sweden is also kept out of this loop means iPhone 5 will not support any LTE frequency bands here.

This is the list of all LTE Frequency bands supported by different versions of Apple iPhone 5

Model NumberLTE Band SupportCountrySupported LTE Networks
Model A1428
(GSM model)		4 (AWS)
17 (700b MHz)		United States
Canada		AT&T

Bell (including Virgin)
Rogers (including Fido)
Telus (including Koodo)
Model A1429
(CDMA model)		1 (2100 MHz)
3 (1800 MHz)
5 (850 MHz)
13 (700c MHz)
25 (1900 MHz)		United State
Japan		Sprint
Verizon
KDDI
Model A1429
(GSM model)		1 (2100 MHz)
3 (1800 MHz)
5 (850 MHz)		Germany
United Kingdom
Australia
Japan
Korea
Hong Kong
Singapore		Deutsche Telekom
EE
Optus (including Virgin)
Telstra
Softbank
SK Telecom
KT
SmarTone
M1
SingTel

List of countries search most about Apple iPhone

  1. Singapore
  2. Vietnam
  3. Thailand
  4. Australia
  5. Switzerland
  6. United States
  7. Sweden
  8. Malaysia
  9. Japan
  10. Philippines

Are you missed out from Apple iPhone LTE frequency bands?

Stereoscopic 3D Video In 3GPP Release 11

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Stereoscopic 3D Video in 3GPP Release 11
New things are popping up at 3GPP and interestingly there is a new geeky thing called stereoscopic 3D video which is actively researched in 3GPP release 11. Sounds interesting!

The 3GPP Codec working group – SA4 – completed their study on Mobile stereoscopic 3D video earlier this year, assessing use cases and probable solutions.

So what is stereoscopic 3D video?

Stereoscopy is the method of combining two plane pictures in order to produce a depth perception by the human brain. Each eye seeing a different angle of a scene, the human visual system – with subjective assessments – is able to interpret the depth information. These technologies are split into two categories; the glasses based systems and the glasses free systems.

Glasses-free 3D video rendering technologies which have significance to this new concept are parallax barrier and Lenticular lens sheet.

For glasses-based 3D video rendering technologies active-shutter glasses or passive glasses can be used.

Given the fact that the rendering technologies offer different levels of quality of experience such as the resolution per view, the viewing angles a service may benefit from adapting the provided 3D video format to the rendering technology in use. In this case appropriate signalling is necessary to either describe the different formats such that the client can select/request the format or the appropriate signalling of the rendering technology is important such that the server can select or annotate the appropriate format.

Now, the working group has completed specification work, selecting the video codecs:

  • H.264/AVC frame compatible formats enabling re-use of existing 3D video deployments,
  • MVC, the 3D extension of H.264/AVC for the support of full resolution per view formats.

3GPP video services like HTTP and RTP-based streaming (3GP-DASH, PSS), broadcasting/multicasting (MBMS), download and progressive download (3GPP file format) and messaging (MMS) all support these dedicated signaling and video codecs.

Checkout the TR 26.905 Mobile stereoscopic 3D video specification for further studies.

Fast Dormancy in 3GPP

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There are many way to waste UE battery power but there are some ways to save this rare and useful resource. Fast Dormancy is one of these. Fast dormancy was introduced in 3GPP release 8 of the specifications after that it was a huge hit among all the smart phone manufacturers. The basic principle behind Fast Dormancy is quite simple “Save phone power when it is inactive”.

Fast Dormancy Battery Life

So is it like before fast dormancy smartphone were draining all the power in no time? The answer is NO. Fast dormancy is a technical name 3GPP adapted. Before the standardisation many proprietary algorithms were used to solve this issue which some times termed as “Autonomous Signalling Connection Release”. This terminology may be differ between vendors. But the concepts are identical.

3GPP standards says that UE should send a “Signalling Connection Release Indication” to network with release cause set to “UE Requested PS Data session end”. This will terminate the signalling when UE is in absolute inactive state.

To know what is inactive state lets check out what UE (RRC) state are defined in 3GPP.

RRC Idle State

In Idle state no RRC connection exists and UE consumes the least power in this state. UE only transmits some signalling in rare occasions like “Location area update” and “Routing area update”. Apart from that UE monitors the Common Pilot Channel (CPICH) of the cell where it is camped. UE RRC connection is disconnected, so for doing some operation RRC connection is established.

PCH State

PCH state is similar to Idle (Not literally). The UE is RRC connected to UTRAN but no user data is sent. The biggest advantage of PCH is that UE does not need to establishing RRC connection when needed as RRC is in a connected state. UE can operate at very low power consumption, which is determined by the DRX cycles of the PCH states. In the following sections the PCH state could be either deployed by using Cell_PCH or URA_PCH or both.

CELL_PCH State

In CELL PCH UE need to inform UTRAN whenever it camps on a new cell which belongs to a different location area. In case when location area is changes UE need to move to do a cell update to move to CELL_FACH state for a limited period of time to sen CELL UPDATE message. UE listens to the same channels as idle and the radio wakes up every DRX cycle.

URA_PCH State

Similar to CELL PCH but updates are only sent when UTRAN Registration area is changes. As UTRAN registration area is a bigger geographical area so updates are sent less frequent than CELL_PCH state.

CELL_FACH State

In CELL FACH state UE is in connected mode using common or shared channels. This state is good for sending small amount of data. In uplink RACH (Random Access Channel) is used and in the downlink FACH (Foreword Access Channel) is used.

CELL DCH State

CELL DCH is the power consuming state. UE is connected using DCH (Dedicated Channel) or High Speed Shared Channel(HSDSCH) or Enhanced Dedicated Channel (EDCH). Only in CELL DCH state high volume of date packets are transmitted or received.

Here is an approximate comparison of battery power consumption in different states:

Idle = 1 (relative units)

Cell_PCH < 2 (this depends on the DRX ratio with Idle and the mobility)

URA_PCH ≤ Cell_PCH ( < in mobility scenarios, = in static scenarios)

Cell_FACH = 40 x Idle

Cell_DCH = 100 x Idle

How Fast Dormancy Works?

3GPP RRC was initially designed with CELL_PCH state and URA_PCH state to allow UEs to consume less power. But many networks are configured with relatively long inactivity timers for CELL_DCH, CELL_FACH states. So even for transmitting a small amount of data a lot of UE power is wasted.

There were many proprietary fast dormancy methods implemented before it’s standardised. In proprietary implementations UE sends a simulated Signalling Connection Release Indication to RNC. But the problem occurs when UE needs to set up signaling connection again. In some instances UE need to set up more than 25 connections in less than 5 minute period in commercial HSPA network, which is a lot of signaling traffic.

Fast Dormancy in 3GPP

In 3GPP release 8 fast dormancy was standardised. According to the standards UE can send Signalling Connection Release Indication to the network to show its intention for releasing the packet conniption but network is in care of the whole process. This is called network controlled fast dormancy.

The network sends a inhibit timer (T323) to UE in system information block type 1 (SIB1). Timer T323 tells how much time the UE need to wait before sending the next Signalling Connection Release Indication Message. The presence of T323 timer indicates that the network supports fast dormancy.

Release 8 fast dormancy is well described in WCDMA for UMTS: HSPA Evolution and LTE by Harri Holma and Antti Toskala. Also refer to 3GPP 25.331 (RRC) specification for more details.

Way To 1000X Data Rate In Mobile Communication

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Mobile data rate is never at its peak in the history and it won’t be sufficient anytime soon in near future. GPRS, EDGE, 3G, HSDPA, HSPA+, LTE or LTE-Advanced none of these technology will ever will make the data hungry mobile devices happy. Why because it’s a never-ending story.

I was watching a football world cup qualifier match two days ago at Malmo stadium between Sweden and Kazakhstan and trying to update my status on Facebook. This was the most horrible experience I have with mobile communication till now. Till the end of the game I could not access network. I was using my Samsung Galaxy S III which is a HSPA+ (42 Mbps) modem inside but that was not enough to get some basic data connectivity.

LTE 1000x Througput

Yesterday evening I got this awesome white paper from Qualcomm called “1000X Mobile Data Challenge”. The presentation is all about making the present and future wireless network more efficient to get best throughput. Here is a small excerpt from the whole presentation.

The main areas where wireless infrastructure can be improved is broadly divided into:

  • More spectrum
  • More small cells
  • More indoor cells.

More Spectrum

Analysts predict that the mobile broadband traffic will double every year. According to a ITU study Europe will need 1.7 GHz of spectrum by 2020, which is double the amount currently allocated.

Spectrum is a rare resource and the only way to use it is getting the best out of it. All the underutilized spectrum should be used efficiently.

New policies like ASA (Authorized Shared Access) can help to use unused spectrum. ASA takes advantage of the Cognitive Radio techniques that were originally developed for the unlicensed TV White Space and uses them to facilitate sharing in a given spectrum band by multiple licensed networks

Because the spectrum is licensed, ASA licensees can ensure spectrum access and they can allocate capital to build network infrastructure

  • Since ASA spectrum is licensed, it becomes possible for the ASA network to provide predictable quality of service (QoS)
  • 3G/4G Mobile Broadband Networks Using ASA: macro cells, pico cells, femto cells
  • Support for FDD and TDD
  • Support for Carrier Aggregation
  • Additional carrier can utilize ASA spectrum to provide increased capacity
  • ASA Macros can be deployed in key cities where additional citywide capacity is needed
  • Pico cells can be deployed at key areas where additional capacity is needed Current Pico cells use traditional licensed spectrum. New ASA Pico cells can provide additional capacity using ASA spectrum in addition to traditional licensed spectrum

More Small Cells and Indoor Cells

Small cells like macro, pico, femto will definitely going to open up any new opportunities in the future.

Macro : Conventional base stations that use dedicated backhaul and open to public access. Typical transmit power ~43 dBm; antenna gain ~12-15 dBi.

Pico: Low power base stations that use dedicated backhaul connections and open to public access. Typical transmit power range from ~ 23 dBm-30 dBm, 0-5 dBi antenna gain;

Femto: Consumer-deployable base stations that utilize consumer’s broadband connection as backhaul; femto base stations may have restricted association. Typical transmit power < 23dBm.

Relays–base stations using the same spectrum as backhaul and access. Similar power as Pico’s.

Heterogeneous Network: A deployment that supports macros, picos, femtos and relays in the same spectrum. HetNet is a big way to reduce load from big cells but the biggest disadvantage is interference. With better interference management HetNet will definitely help.

Will these steps help me update my Facebook status next time?

Apple iPhone 5 Comes With Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE Modem

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iphone 5 leaked photo
iPhone 5 is going to be announced today at Apple event. When the whole world is concerned about the application and physical design of the next iPhone we at the 3gLteInfo are more concerned about the communication aspects.

The rumor is that Apple iPhone 5 will use Qualcomm LTE chipset. From some leaked photographs of the next iPhone the speculation is that Aplle is using Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE modem.

Qualcomm MDM9615 has a very impressive specification. The 28nm chipsent supports LTE (FDD and TDD), DC-HSPA+, EV-DO Rev-B and TD-SCDMA.

The official Qualcomm specification says:

Qualcomm MDM9615M will provide enhancements in modem performance, power consumption, board area and BOM expense. For example, the new chipsets will feature a dedicated processor that will allow OEMs to differentiate their products through the addition of value added services, and they will be able to develop Wi-Fi hotspot products without requiring an external application processor. Both chipsets will be compatible with Qualcomm’s Power Optimized Envelope Tracking (Q-POET) solution that provides further power consumption and thermal improvements allowing for smaller device form factors.

MDM9615M will also offer best-in-class modem performance by incorporating the latest version of Qualcomm’s Interference Cancellation & Equalization (Q-ICE) algorithm – leading to higher user data throughputs and increased network capacity. In addition to LTE TDD, the MSM9615 will also support TD-SCDMA, making it an optimized chipset solution well-suited for the Chinese mobile broadband market.

Qualcomm MDM9615M LTE modem

The MDM9615 is designed to pair up with the WTR1605 radio frequency IC and PM8018 power management IC to provide a highly integrated chipset solution. The WTR1605 will be Qualcomm’s first Radio Transceiver in Wafer Level Package and will be a highly integrated radio transceiver with multi-mode (LTE FDD, LTE TDD, CDMA, WCDMA, TD-SCDMA, GSM) and multi-band support. The WTR1605 will be optimized for low power consumption and small footprint and will integrate a high performance GPS core with GLONASS support.

What do you think about the new iPhone 5 modem?

Emerging Research Areas in Next Generation of Mobile Communication

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Mobile communications have seen a lot of innovation in recent times and there is still much more to come. We have moved from the GSM circuit switched voice system to complex services employing the Internet Protocol as the communications substrate. Mobile communications standards such as HSPA Advance and LTE have become jargon when talking about the 4G mobile networks. However, work still needs to be done to realize a transparent and seamless connectivity amongst different technologies. Innovation still needs to be made to provide improved QoS, QoE, and Cell Throughput while aiming for the convergence of all different technologies. Many more applications still need to be developed to utilize the full bandwidth offered by HSPA Advance, LTE and LTE Advance technologies.

Future of wireless communication

In this context, academics and industry professionals are doing research and development in a variety of areas which benefit for the use of this technology. Some of these areas are:

  • HetNet
  • Green Technology and Communications
  • Augmented Reality
  • Vehicular Communication
  • Location-based Accuracy
  • Security
  • Social Networking
  • Data Mining
  • Radio Resource Management in HSPA Advance, LTE, LTE advance

HetNet

A Heterogeneous Network (HetNet) is basically a cell deployment technique where inside a macro cell we can have a pico/femto cell which can carry some of the extra load of the big cell. The main issue in HetNet is interference which is a consequence of the cells coverage overlapping. In this regard, the accessibility of a pico cell when serving a User Equipment diminishes due to the interference from the macro cell. One way to reduce interference is to use a different frequency for the pico/femto cells, however this could be expensive. For instance, Inter-Cell Interference Coordination (ICIC) is employed as a mechanism to assign unused frequencies to different sectors of a cell in order to mitigate interference. ICIC has been further enhanced (e-ICIC) allowing for signals in different cells to be orthogonal in the time domain and thus reducing interference further. In the area of HetNet, scope exists to further refine or to propose new algorithms for controlling interference and stabilizing data communications.

Green Technology and Communications

Green Technology is today’s buzzword. Global warming and climate change have made industry and general public to be aware of their carbon footprint. Great emphasis has been put to reduce carbon emission as much as possible and talk of introducing carbon tax in industry is heard.

Work is being done to save power and reduce energy consumption in all across mobile devices and infrastructures. In 3G Radio Access Network (RAN), features such as Continuous Packet Connectivity (CPC) and Fast Dormancy have been developed to reduce the mobile device battery consumption. Power efficient radio frequency hardware is being designed for Radio Base Stations. Cognitive radio and power control applications which can learn and adapt to both the radio interference and the power needs are an area of further investigation and study. Similarly smart electrical grids and distributed networking is an interesting area of research to propose novel solutions for a most efficient and smarter utilization and distribution of the energy.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality will be the killer application for smart phones and has the capability to mesmerize the whole world in the near future. Imagine you take a photo with your smart phone of a movie from an advertisement hoarding, and then the phone gives all the information regarding the film, plays a trailer and lets you know where the nearest movie theatre is. How wonderful this is?! There is significant research potential in this area to bring the virtual world into reality with the assistance of smart mobile phones and sensor devices.

Vehicular Communication

Exploring possibilities to integrate mobile device applications for vehicular communication is an interesting area. Imagine your car automatically dials emergency number 112 when you have a car accident. A mobile device could be fitted in a car and upon detection of accident through sensors; it could call the emergency number. The mobile device could also obtain positioning information from RAN (based on Radio Environment Statistics (RES)) or extract positioning information from GPS application of the mobile device, upon receipt of geographical information; the device could convey this information as well to emergency department. There is a greater need of integrating usage of mobile technology into vehicular technology for the greater good of human kind and saving valuable human life.

Location-based Accuracy

Though nowadays mobile devices integrate a GPS device for location accuracy, its constrained indoor operation and high battery consumption make them not that efficient. The RES is also used by the RAN to localize the position of the User Equipment. The RES optional feature in RAN employs User Equipment measurement reports to determine the location. Similarly in Wi-Fi, the radio signal strength of a mobile device, and also integrated parts such as the microphone and the camera, have been used to determine location. New methods such as the beam forming technique and the use of MIMO antennas are an emerging area of study to determine location precisely.

Security

Security has been always an area of concern in wireless mobile networks. Mobile devices are especially vulnerable to eavesdropping. One of the new applications is the mobile payment; mobile devices are used to make payments in shops, restaurants or for money transfer. This kind of application requires robust security measures for these kinds of transactions. There exists research opportunity in the area of identity management, secure payment methods through mobile device and efficient and robust cryptography algorithms.

Social Networking

Social Networking is one of the most powerful mass media applications in today’s world. Applications such as aka-aki in smart phones are given the opportunity for unknown people to meet each other. The application notifies a subscribed user by indicating that somebody with similar interests is nearby such that the users could end up meeting. There is a large potential for this kind of innovative social networking applications for mobile devices. Facebook, twitter, mocospace, googleplus and bluepulse, have brought a new dimension to the whole world.

Data Mining

The number of mobile subscribers has tremendously increased in the past decade giving rise to the importance of Data Mining. Intelligent and efficient algorithms are required to gather valuable information from ever increasing mobile traffic. This area is more attractive from the marketing perspective.

Radio Resource Management

Wireless resources are limited and a number of algorithms exist to efficiently utilize the limited radio resources in HSPA and LTE. However, there is still a large scope of innovation in this crucial area. In LTE, the technique e-ICIC to mitigate interference and thus to utilize radio resources is a part of RRM. Similarly scheduling algorithm in HSPA and LTE plays a critical role in efficiently utilizing the radio resources. Scheduling algorithms should focus on delivering improved QoS and simultaneously attaining high Cell Throughput in HSPA Advance and LTE Networks. Novel and efficient interference techniques and scheduling algorithms are needed in Next Generation of Mobile Networks.